Chapter 283 Guanxi Allied Forces, Yuan Shu Picks Up the Loss

Chang'an City, Meiwu.

Although Ma Teng forced Lu Bu to retreat, they were just guest troops. If Lu Bu got serious, they would definitely not fight to the death.

After much thought, Dong Zhuo couldn't come up with any good solution.

If Niu Fu and Duan Wei withdrew their troops from Hangu Pass, not to mention the losses along the way, even if they returned safely, the power of Wang Yun's side would be greatly increased.

By then, the situation will still be difficult to clean up.

If we don't withdraw our troops, not only will we have to live in fear every day, but we won't be able to leave Meiwu.

By then, Wang Yun will be the one who has the final say in the entire court, and he will suffer if time goes on for a long time.

If you have any questions, ask Li Ru.

Dong Zhuo summoned Li Ru for questioning.

"Did the Grand Master forget something?"

Li Ru reminded him: "Wang Yun once told you that Zhu Jun is a foolishly loyal man and can be recalled with an imperial edict."

Dong Zhuo slapped his thigh and said excitedly: "The one who knows me well is Wenyou!"

"Draft an imperial edict and send it to Luoyang."

Li Ru is now the Minister of the Chancellery, and writing imperial edicts is his job. The only problem is how to get the emperor to agree to this.

Judging from the current situation in Chang'an, Wang Yun has the upper hand, and it is hard to say whether the young emperor will still obey Dong Zhuo's threats.

Li Ru told Dong Zhuo about the difficulty, and the latter hesitated for two seconds and decided: "Invite Han Wenyue and Ma Shoucheng to discuss the matter."

the other side.

Han Sui's army was stationed in Youfufeng. It took two days for the news to be sent back and forth, plus the journey.

Ma Teng and his son just happened to have time to discuss why Dong Zhuo summoned the three men.

But the two men lacked key information and were not known for their intelligence, so how could they guess it?

Ma Teng was a descendant of General Ma Yuan, but when he was young, he was just a woodcutter.

I joined the army as an adult, and by chance, I was able to achieve my current position.

Not to mention Ma Chao. Ma Teng was busy fighting for military merits outside and had no time to teach his sons, so he just let them grow up.

Therefore, Ma Chao had been close to the Qiang and Hu people since he was a child, and had picked up many of their habits, making his personality more like that of the Qiang and Hu people than that of a Han Chinese.

It was not until Han Sui arrived that Ma Teng and his son had the opportunity to talk to Han Sui.

Han Sui did have some guesses, but Dong Zhuo summoned the three people in a hurry and did not have much time to talk.

In this way, Dong Zhuo entertained the three people and explained the matter clearly.

"I have asked the three of you to come here this time because I have an important matter to ask of you."

Dong Zhuo promised: "After the task is completed, there will be a generous reward!"

Hearing the words "reward generously", Ma Teng and Han Sui did not react, but Ma Chao asked actively, "How will the Grand Master reward you?"

Dong Zhuo had seen Ma Chao's bravery, and looking at the handsome Ma Chao, he felt as if he saw a younger version of Lu Bu.

Dong Zhuo smiled and asked, "How old is Meng Qi this year? What position does he hold?"

Ma Chao said impatiently, "I am sixteen this year and am temporarily serving as a retainer of the General of the Western Expedition."

"But I will definitely become a great general in the future!"

Looking at the high-spirited Ma Chao, Dong Zhuo laughed heartily, but in his mind he was thinking about his own unborn son, who would be like him in the future.

"Ambitious!"

After Dong Zhuo praised him, he looked at Ma Teng and said, "A good father will have a good son! I like Shoucheng's son very much. How about he serve under me?"

Ma Teng's expression became serious. This meant he wanted a hostage. If he had replaced his son, it would be no problem, but Ma Chao wanted to be trained as the next heir.

If he became a hostage, Ma Teng would really be in danger.

"I don't know, Grand Master."

Ma Teng thought quickly and put the blame on Ma Chao's mother.

"This boy's biological mother is the daughter of the leader of the Baima Qiang. I am not at home all year round. He has had Qiang habits since he was young. I am afraid he will contradict the Grand Tutor."

Dong Zhuo laughed and said, "Shoucheng, you are from Liangzhou, don't you know that I have a deep brotherhood with the Qiang people?"

"I was worried that Mengqi would not be used to the Xiliang Army. Now that you say that, I feel relieved."

Ma Teng wanted to slap himself twice for talking too much.

At this time, Ma Chao, who was dissatisfied with his father Ma Teng making decisions without his permission, said loudly: "I make the decision on my own affairs!"

"If Master Dong wants to recruit me, then show your sincerity!"

"At least you have to be a general to be qualified!"

Immediately, Ma Teng stood up and shouted angrily: "Ma Chao! Stop talking nonsense! Why don't you retreat?"

He then clasped his fists towards Dong Zhuo and said, "Grandmaster, please forgive me."

Unexpectedly, Ma Chao not only did not appreciate it, but instead bowed to Dong Zhuo and said: "Master Dong has the highest status here. If you want me to leave, you need Master Dong's consent!"

Dong Zhuo narrowed his eyes, and then laughed out loud.

"Ma Shoucheng! You gave birth to a good son!"

Just when Ma Teng was feeling anxious, Dong Zhuo changed the subject and said, "I like his personality, but I don't know if he is qualified to be a general."

Hearing the meaning of Dong Zhuo's words, Ma Chao immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Master, if you are willing to give me a chance, I will definitely live up to your trust!"

At this time, no matter how Ma Teng tried to remedy the situation, it was of no use and he could only look to Dong Zhuo's opinion.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Dong Zhuo pondered and said, "Since you have such courage, why should I care about the position of a general?"

"How about this, you just fought with Lu Bu's general Cheng Lian, take his head and I will make you the General of the Central Army!"

Although the General of the Household is not as good as a general with miscellaneous titles, he is still a general. Li Jue and Guo Si are both at this rank. Ma Chao got it as soon as he arrived, which was a step-up to heaven.

"Thank you, Master Dong!" Ma Chao also knew this and bowed excitedly, "I will take Cheng Lian's head today!"

After that, he stood up and left.

Ma Teng sighed in his heart, wondering whether he should replace Ma Tie or Ma Xiu and train them again?
Both of them are Ma Chao's younger brothers, so there is still time to train them, but their abilities are very different.

Some talents are innate.

Han Sui seemed to notice Ma Teng's abnormality and consoled him, "Ma Shoucheng, take it easy. Your children and grandchildren will have their own blessings."

"Look at me. I am very satisfied with having a capable son-in-law. You have three sons. You are too unsatisfied."

This remark resonated with Dong Zhuo, who said, "That's right, Ma Shoucheng."

"I don't even have a son, but you have three such outstanding sons. You are so ungrateful!"

After hearing these words, Ma and Han were frightened and broke out in cold sweats. They only breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Dong Zhuo's cheerful look.

Not having an offspring is not something you can joke about, it could really kill people.

Of course Dong Zhuo would not share with the two of them the fact that Diao Chan was pregnant with a son. In that era, superstition was very strong and they were afraid that something unexpected would happen if they said too much.

After all, giving birth at this time is no safer than fighting a war, and the mortality rate is extremely high.

The three chatted for a while, and then Dong Zhuo got to the point and said, "Please come here, generals. I have something to ask of you."

Han Sui and Ma Teng quickly stood up and said in unison: "Please give me your orders!"

Dong Zhuo was nothing in Guandong, but in Guanxi, his reputation was like that of Yuan Shao in Guandong, a leader-like existence.

Earlier, when Dong Zhuo was just a General of the Central Army, the Qiang, Hu and Xiongnu were all under his control.

Now he is the Grand Tutor who is above the Three Dukes, truly second only to the emperor.

There are countless people in Guanxi who want to curry favor with Dong Zhuo.

It can be said that if Dong Zhuo makes a call now, everyone will respond without any problem. However, Dong Zhuo does not want too many foreigners to ruin the Sanfu area.

This is the birthplace of Dong Zhuo for his son. Now even the Xiliang Army has begun to observe military discipline.

Although the effect was not good, it forced away those Xiliang troops who wanted freedom and made them run to join Lu Bu.

But Dong Zhuo did not regret it. He believed that with his talents, he would be able to regroup and once again surpass all other officials.

"Do not be nervous."

Dong Zhuo said casually: "It's just a small matter."

After Han Sui and Ma Teng sat down, Dong Zhuo dropped another bombshell: "I would like to ask you two to escort Wen You to the palace to meet the emperor on my behalf."

"I have an important imperial edict for you to seal and issue."

Han Sui and Ma Teng were not as foolish as Ma Chao, so they knew that Dong Zhuo was going to tie them both to the same chariot.

However, both of them were rebels and were not that loyal to the emperor and the Han Dynasty.

The key lies in what kind of delicious food Dong Zhuo can provide.

The General Zhenxi and the General Zhengxi have both made contributions, which cannot be counted as rewards this time.

Seeing that neither of them expressed their opinions, Dong Zhuo cursed inwardly, then said with a smile: "If this is accomplished, I am willing to submit a petition for the two generals to be granted titles of nobility!"

No one can resist the temptation of being granted a title of nobility. Even though Dong Zhuo and Wang Yun gave out rewards lavishly, it did not reach the point of being rampant.

At least the southern overlord Jin Mao has not yet been granted the title of nobility.

Sure enough, Han Sui and Ma Teng looked at each other, stood up and bowed, saying, "That's what I wish for, but I dare not ask you!"

Dong Zhuo sneered in his heart, would he agree without asking?
...

Inside Chang'an City.

Ma Chao took advantage of Cheng Lian's drinking outside and launched a surprise attack, capturing his head.

When Lu Bu learned about this, he was furious and searched the whole city for the suspect.

However, an imperial edict took advantage of the chaos to escape from Chang'an and reach Luoyang.

"Zhu Jun accepts the imperial edict!"

The person who came out to deliver the imperial edict was actually Jin Yang!

However, Zhu Jun paid no attention to this clansman who followed Jin Mao around when he was in obscurity.

While Jin Yang was unhappy, after reading the imperial edict, he secretly passed the information to Jia Fang of Yihongyuan in Luoyang.

the other side.

When Zhu Jun received the emperor's edict, even though he knew it was Dong Zhuo's conspiracy, he returned to Chang'an without hesitation.

All the coalition forces were unwilling to follow Zhu Jun into the pass.

Zhu Jun thought: "When the emperor summons a minister, the minister should go without waiting for the carriages and horses to be ready, let alone the emperor's decree.

"Besides, Dong Zhuo has just been defeated, and Wang Situ has been unable to capture the city for a long time. There will definitely be chaos. This is the time when I need your help."

"I will take advantage of Dong Zhuo's weakness and suddenly unite the troops to take action, and then the great cause will be successful."

However, Yuan Shu's adviser Yang Hong disagreed: "Han Sui and Ma Teng are helping Dong Zhuo. I don't think Dong Zhuo is weak."

"My lord, there must be a trick!"

Yuan Shu said nonchalantly: "It's better if Zhu Jun leaves. This coalition army, which has just begun to form combat capabilities, is just right for me to use!"

Over the past half month, Zhu Jun, with his rich experience in leading troops, gradually coordinated the scattered coalition forces. If Yuan Shu had really taken over, he would have been like a free instructor.

Of course, Yuan Shu’s support played an indispensable role in this.

Everyone can disobey Zhu Jun, but they cannot lose face for Yuan Shu.

Whether it is the Yuan family or the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Yi, they are all powerful princes now, enough to intimidate the little ones.

Zhu Jun bid farewell to Yuan Shu and others and followed the emperor's envoy Jin Yang back to Chang'an.

Coincidentally, Tao Qian arrived at the scene the day after Zhu Jun left.

Then, Tao Qian watched helplessly as the coalition forces fell into Yuan Shu's pocket and had to offer his congratulations against his will.

The three thousand elite soldiers were gone, and most of the property in his hometown Danyang County had been sold. Now Tao Qian had truly become a homeless old man.

For the sake of his three thousand elite soldiers, Yuan Shu appointed Tao Qian as an official in Yuzhou to work for him.

With nowhere to go, Tao Qian could only accept it with a pinch of his nose.

The other princes in Xuzhou no longer had to go back, and all of them were taken advantage of by Yuan Shu.

Since then, Yuan Shu's strength has returned to its peak and he has many talented people under his command.

But this time, Yuan Shu did not get cocky. Instead, he showed what he considered to be a friendly attitude to everyone who came to join him.

Although he is not as good as Yuan Shao, he is much better than the previous Yuan Shu, which also gives these new comers a reassurance.

In addition, Yuan Shu actively extended his influence to the east, north and west.

They didn't even dare to look at the south. At least they had to wait until Yuan Shao dealt with Gongsun Zan.

In this life, Yuan Shu was very clear about one thing, that is, he could never take the initiative to break with Yuan Shao again, unless Yuan Shao took action first.

As for Yuan Yi, Cao Cao and others, in Yuan Shu's eyes they were just dogs under his and Yuan Shao's command.

Isn't the power they have gained just for the faster development of him and Yuan Shao?
...

Among those who followed the Golden Sheep out of Chang'an this time was a man named Liu He, who was the son of Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou.

At the beginning, Liu Yu sent Tian Chou and Xian Yu Yin as envoys to Chang'an.

With the company of Jin Yang, Liu Xie wanted to return to the east more and more, and was very happy to see Tian Chou and others.

At that time, Liu Yu's son Liu He was serving as a minister to the emperor, so Liu Xie sent him to sneak out of Wuguan to find Liu Yu and ask him to lead troops to rescue.

Zhu Jun set out to return to Chang'an to provide cover for Liu He. Zhu Jun knew that Yuan Shu was definitely not that kind, and sending him to the south was not an option either.

My own disciples are not good people either.

So, Zhu Jun took advantage of the time when Jin Yang went to find Jia Fang and secretly sent someone to release Liu He.

Ji County, Youzhou.

After going through untold hardships, Liu He finally returned and told Liu Yu about the emperor.

Liu Yu did not hesitate and immediately selected three thousand elite cavalry to accompany his son back to Chang'an to help the emperor return to the east.

Before leaving, Liu Yu warned Liu He: "Don't worry about your life when you are doing great things. When you arrive in Chang'an, you only need to obey the emperor's orders."

Liu He wrote them down one by one, and then he remembered something and said, "Father, a group of strange attendants have come to the emperor's side recently. Judging from their accents, they are from Jiangdong."

"The emperor is very close to them, especially the eunuch named Jin Yang, who is deeply trusted by the emperor. Even I... am not as good as him!"

Liu Yu said solemnly: "They must be the Yangzhou governor's men!"

"Since the emperor trusts you, you must have some extraordinary qualities."

"The emperor has few useful people around him. It is best for you to work together with this person called Jin Yang. Do not create conflicts unless it goes against the emperor's wishes."

Liu He asked in confusion: "Why?"

"The governor of Yangzhou has ulterior motives. What should we do if it harms the emperor?"

Liu Yu said with murderous intent: "No matter who it is, if he is harmful to the emperor, even if it costs you your life, you must not let him go easily!"

Then, Liu Yu's expression eased and he said, "My child, you must remember that when your strength is insufficient, you must use all available strength."

Liu Yu cited Gongsun Zan as an example: "Wei You, the official of the Eastern Cao, once told me that Gongsun Zan's military and literary skills are enough to be relied upon, and even if he has some minor faults, we should tolerate them for the time being."

"Because now the world is leading and looking to me as hope. Counsellors and minions are indispensable."

Liu He bowed and said, "I'll remember it!"

After saying this, he led three thousand elite cavalrymen south.

(End of this chapter)